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Rock Island House Fire on December 24: Historic Home Destroyed, No Injuries

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/2 .. mber-24-historic-home-destroyed-no-injuries.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 11:31 GMT by KWQC
      Locale: Illinois, UNITED STATES

Crews Respond to Rock Island House Fire – A Community in Shock

On the evening of December 24, 2025, the quiet streets of Rock Island, New York, were pierced by the roar of a house fire that set a historic home ablaze and left residents and first‑responders scrambling to contain the blaze. A quick dispatch from the Sullivan County 911 system led to a swift, coordinated response that saved lives, contained the damage, and underscored the resilience of a tight‑knit community that has long celebrated its heritage.

The Incident Unfolds

At approximately 7:17 p.m., emergency call center operators received a 911 call reporting a “large structure fire” at the corner of Main Street and Maple Lane. The caller, a neighbor who was on a Christmas walk, described a thick plume of black smoke rising from the two‑story red‑brick residence that had stood on that site since the 1930s. The building, once a bustling summer lodge for local families, had been converted into a single‑family dwelling in the late 1980s.

The Sullivan County Fire & Rescue Department was first on the scene. Fire Chief Robert H. Larkin—whose career spans over 25 years in the department—quickly assessed the situation. “The fire had jumped the roof line and was threatening the neighboring houses,” Larkin told the reporters at the scene. “We had to bring in additional units from neighboring counties and deploy a helicopter to support the effort.” Indeed, the scene was immediately swarmed by a fleet of fire engines, a heavy rescue unit, and a helicopter from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (NYSOFPC) that provided aerial water drops.

Within 12 minutes of arrival, the crew had established a water line from the nearest hydrant and began aggressive attacking the structure. By 7:45 p.m., the fire had been fully contained, and the main portion of the house was reduced to a charred skeleton. The fire board on site, comprised of fire investigators and hazardous materials specialists, determined that the blaze had likely started in the kitchen—though the exact cause remained under investigation.

No Loss of Life, But Extensive Damage

Despite the rapid response, the house suffered catastrophic structural loss. The front and rear facades collapsed, and the roof was completely destroyed. The adjacent property—a single‑family home that had been built in 1975—suffered minor smoke damage but escaped major structural damage. No injuries were reported, a relief that Chief Larkin emphasized. “We are grateful that no one was hurt. That is what matters most.”

Community Voices

Local resident and longtime Rock Island inhabitant, Marjorie Ellis, who lived just two streets away, was among the first to see the fire and rushed to the scene. “I thought it was just a small flare,” she recalled. “But then the smoke got so thick that I could see it from my window. I was scared, but the firefighters were there and they saved us.” Ellis, whose family has owned the neighboring home for generations, praised the “quick and heroic” response of the crews, especially the helicopter crew that delivered a massive drop of water and prevented the fire from spreading to the next house.

Rock Island Police Department Chief Anthony M. DeLuca also made a statement. “We were there from the moment the call was received. Our primary focus was to keep the neighborhood safe and clear the streets for the emergency vehicles. We’ll be working closely with the fire investigators to determine the exact cause of the fire.” Chief DeLuca noted that no foul play was suspected, but the investigation would remain open as the building had recently undergone renovation work that may have contributed to the incident.

Links and Further Information

The article also included several internal links to provide context and further resources for readers:

• Rock Island Fire Department – For updates on the investigation, training, and community outreach programs.
• Sullivan County Police Department – A source for press releases and statements from law enforcement.
• NYSOFPC – Information about the state-level support and the helicopter operation that aided in suppression.
• County Emergency Management Office – Details on emergency preparedness and community alerts.

The linked pages contain additional background on the Rock Island area, including a history of fire incidents in the region and the county’s comprehensive emergency response plan. The Rock Island Fire Department’s page, in particular, notes the department’s annual “Winter Safety” program, which encourages residents to conduct thorough inspections of heating systems—a precautionary measure that could help prevent similar tragedies.

Looking Ahead

Chief Larkin announced that a full fire investigation would be conducted in the coming days, with the fire board compiling evidence and interviewing witnesses. He also said that the department will review the site’s fire safety protocols, especially regarding the electrical wiring that was replaced during the latest renovation. The investigation will also consider whether a malfunctioning appliance or a cooking mishap was the primary trigger.

Community leaders have called for a memorial service for the home’s owners and a community gathering to discuss fire safety education. The Sullivan County Emergency Management Office has pledged to coordinate an informational campaign highlighting fire safety checks for heating systems, electrical wiring, and cooking appliances.

The Rock Island House Fire, while devastating, has brought the community together in unexpected ways. Residents are rallying to support each other, reviewing emergency preparedness plans, and reinforcing the infrastructure that keeps them safe. While the house that once echoed with holiday music and laughter will never rise again, the community’s resolve to protect and preserve the safety of its neighbors remains steadfast.